IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY!

Reporting Fraud

Office of the Inspector General

The purpose of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is to investigate and inspect matters concerning fraud, theft, waste, abuse, or serious mismanagement within or affecting CHA. The OIG ensures that violations that cause specific danger to public health and safety are reported and investigated, as they relate to Knox County Housing Authority (KCHA) residents and employees, contractors, subcontractors or any entity receiving funds from the KCHA. Additionally, the OIG ensures that suspected violations are reported and investigated in an expeditious and procedurally correct manner and that corrective measures are taken where appropriate.

OIG Hotline

The purpose of the OIG Hotline is to take reports of fraud, theft, waste, abuse, and gross mismanagement in KCHA-funded programs and operations and refer such allegations to OIG investigators and auditors, or to HUD program officials to ensure that allegations of wrongdoing are independently addressed.

What Is --

FRAUD? Deceptive practices including, but not limited to embezzlement, false billing, or false representation.THEFT? Intentionally depriving the KCHA of goods or services or the unauthorized removal of property, money, or funds from the KCHA, its entities, locations or premises.WASTE? Individuals, groups, employees, contractors, vendors, or businesses that are spending taxpayers' monies in a manner that does not further the KCHA’s mission and goals.ABUSE? KCHA officials or KCHA funded local officials whose actions exceed the authority granted to them by CHA policies and regulations.SERIOUS MISMANAGEMENT? A significant failure by a KCHA program office or program office entity that is due to managerial incompetence or inattention.

How Do I Contact the OIG Hotline?

If you know of anyone who provided false information on a HUD housing assistance application or recertification or if anyone tells you to provide false information, report that person to the HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline. You can call the Hotline toll-free Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST).

You can call OIG toll-free at 1-800-347-3735You can fax OIG at (202) 708-4829You can email your complaint to: Hotline@hudoig.govYou can visit the HUD OIG website by clicking here.

Why Report?

You could provide valuable information which may contribute to the successfully investigation and prosecution of criminals.

It doesn't matter if the fraud is happening now, took place in the past, or is planned to happen in the future.

It is your responsibility to do the right thing and tell someone who can take action if you know that someone is committing fraud to obtain assisted housing from HUD.

We rely on your information to help us stop fraud and ensure that all taxpayer money is spent appropriately and all assistance is accurately distributed.

Will You Disclose My Identity?

The identities of confidential complainants are not disclosed. However, it is advantageous for OIG to know the identity of the complainant if follow-up inquiries are needed to pursue an investigation.

What Do I Need To Know When Contacting the OIG?

There are several things to keep in mind when reporting fraud, waste, abuse, and serious mismanagement. Immediate reporting is necessary, while facts are still fresh in the mind of the complainant. All reports must answer the questions who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Who was involved? (Names, addresses, phone numbers, if available)

What happened? (Summary of events, additional sources of evidence)

When did it happen? (Date, time, frequency)

Where did it happen? (Location, city, state)

Why was it done? (Any known motive of committing such act)

How did it happen? (What scheme was used)

The most successful OIG cases are those that include supporting documentation. Reports that are too vague or cannot be supported can result in a closed report, without any action taken.

Be aware that the OIG has exclusive discretion in determining which Hotline cases will be investigated. A representative from OIG will contact you only if additional information is needed for your complaint. OIG cannot provide you with case status updates or other information while the case is in review. Furthermore, OIG’s decision to close a case is final with without a right to appeal.

What Happens if You Do Not Open a Case Based On My Report?

A majority of the reports that the OIG Hotline receives are program related or administrative matters, which do not result in an opened case. In these situations, we will refer the complaint to the appropriate KCHA program office or another government agency.

What Matters Are Considered Appropriate for OIG Investigations?

The OIG Hotline is a report intake operation. OIG is not a customer service center for the KCHA and KCHA program offices. OIG does not open cases on allegations that can be addressed through existing complaint resolution mechanisms that provide appeal rights and access to the federal and state court systems. At the discretion of OIG, cases on disputes that have been or can be addressed through civil proceedings are not opened. OIG also does not open cases on allegations involving maintenance issues, landlord-tenant disagreements, income calculations, for voucher purposes, or personnel issues in KCHA or KCHA funded programs that can be addressed under labor-management agreements.